So a little while ago I was considering donating my time to one of the local bike recycling charity/projects. They take in old racers, among other bikes, fix them up and sell them, with proceeds going to local causes. On their website they stress how the bikes are being worked on by Cytech qualified mechanics - to the 'highest standard'.
Thinking this seemed like a worthy cause and a professional organisation, I recommended my friend (who was in the market for an old racer) to purchase from them. She bought a nice old Mixte Peugeot, which looked lovely on the listing page.
When it arrived, I was disappointed to find numerous mechanical issues within the first minute of checking the bike over!
There was considerable play in the headset.
The rear wheel bearings had a lot of play in them.
The freewheel was so seized that the chain was pushed off the chain ring if you stopped pedaling.
The brakes weren't centered and so were rubbing on the rims.
None of the bearings (that I checked) had fresh grease in them.
The bike really wasn't road worthy at all (although they had put new tires and bar tape on it). I fixed these issues for her, although I feel sorry for purchasers who are unable to do this for themselves. Not sure how they can get away with it personally!
Thinking this seemed like a worthy cause and a professional organisation, I recommended my friend (who was in the market for an old racer) to purchase from them. She bought a nice old Mixte Peugeot, which looked lovely on the listing page.
When it arrived, I was disappointed to find numerous mechanical issues within the first minute of checking the bike over!
There was considerable play in the headset.
The rear wheel bearings had a lot of play in them.
The freewheel was so seized that the chain was pushed off the chain ring if you stopped pedaling.
The brakes weren't centered and so were rubbing on the rims.
None of the bearings (that I checked) had fresh grease in them.
The bike really wasn't road worthy at all (although they had put new tires and bar tape on it). I fixed these issues for her, although I feel sorry for purchasers who are unable to do this for themselves. Not sure how they can get away with it personally!